Optimizing nutrition key to unlocking full benefits of immunocastration
Jun 13, 2019Susan Spiegel
An alternative technique to physical castration could offer US hog producers a host of financial and management benefits.
Australia’s experience with castration alternative should give global confidence, producer says
Mar 07, 2019Susan Spiegel
Australian consumer acceptance of a technology that offers an alternative to physical castration should give more pork producers the confidence to use it, says one of Australia’s leading pork...
Animal welfare key to pork producers’ continuous improvement
Feb 27, 2019Susan Spiegel
Animal well-being is not a new concept and has long been a priority on hog farms. “It’s one of the ethical principles within the industry’s We Care initiative,” said Sherry Webb,...
Industry and government must help producers prepare for new German castration ban, pig vet says
Jan 30, 2019Susan Spiegel
With new legislation in Germany banning castration without full anesthesia starting in 2021, the time for producers to make changes is now, a swine veterinarian says.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration alternative boosting efficiency, quality and welfare in Brazil
Dec 05, 2018Susan Spiegel
Pig producers in Brazil are improving efficiency, quality and welfare standards thanks to a novel alternative to physical castration, says a prominent swine veterinarian and meat scientist.
Castration rule change a chance for Europe’s producers to get ‘smarter, faster’
Oct 11, 2018Susan Spiegel
Changes to rules around pig castration in Europe should be viewed as an opportunity to improve welfare and efficiencies rather than a problem producers need to overcome, says a pig health expert.
‘We’ve almost forgotten that boars just perform better’
Aug 23, 2018Susan Spiegel
Ever since Larry Rueff, DVM, a swine veterinarian from Greensburg, IN, stopped physically castrating some of his pigs 4 years ago, and started using a protein compound that works like an immunization...
Immunocastrated pigs eat less, convert more efficiently, so what’s holding them back in the US?
Jul 10, 2018Susan Spiegel
Imagine a corn field twice the size of Chicago. That’s what the pork industry could potentially save annually if it adopted an alternative to conventional castration. With about 55 million male...
Retailers setting their sights on pain management in pig production
May 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
Although antibiotics and sow housing have remained center stage in recent years, retailers are increasingly putting pressure on producers to address pain management as part of their...
Food-chain specialist: Communicate the emotional side of pork production, not the technical
Jan 01, 2018Susan Spiegel
The food supply chain has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. “It’s so much more complex and consumer driven,” said Justin Ransom, supply chain strategist. “Today’s consumer can ask...
